When people look back on what happened this month in Chicago Bears history, they will say it was Bill Polian who orchestrated the hires of new GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. In reality, it is looking more and more like Polian was little more than a figurehead. Somebody else behind the scenes may have been pulling the strings the entire time. None other than agent Trace Armstrong.
For those who might not remember, the former Bears defensive end was rumored to be considering a front office position in the organization. Somebody the McCaskeys were hoping could turn around their fortunes. Armstrong quickly put that to rest with a statement on Twitter that he was doing no such thing. However, one source did indicate at around that same time that the well-connected agent was serving as a consultant. Somebody that could get the Bears in the room with the right people.
People he just so happened to represent in Poles and Eberflus.
This is not a coincidence. Armstrong knows both men well and likely informed the Bears search team that the two could work well together. He ended up being proven correct. When Poles was named GM, he made it clear he wanted to meet with every coaching finalist alone. While some preferred Jim Caldwell (including Polian) and others preferred Dan Quinn, it ended up being Eberflus that got the nod.
That might not be the end of it either. Armstrong could be angling to get another of his prominent clients a job in Chicago. Somebody that can help to develop quarterback Justin Fields. Former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog suggested the team is looking at him for a possible role as quarterbacks coach. Something he’s proven to be quite good at in the past.
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Brady.
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) January 29, 2022
Chicago Bears are going out on a limb trusting Armstrong
After all, he also represents Matt Nagy as a client. So to accept another head coach from his inventory is bold. Still, nobody can deny he is doing what he can to help his former team find success. Poles and Eberflus are among the most widely-respected people in the NFL despite their lack of overall name power in the media. Both are proving to be strong recruiters thus far as well, putting together promising staffs.
New assistant GM Ian Cunningham helped the Ravens and Eagles win a Super Bowl. Linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi turned Darius Leonard into a superstar. Brady, presuming he is hired too, got career-best performances out of Joe Burrow in 2019 and Teddy Bridgewater in 2020. Packers passing game coordinator Luke Getsy is a favorite to be the new offensive coordinator.
It is an exciting ensemble cast.
If they deliver, then Armstrong will go down as one of the quiet heroes that helped rescue the Chicago Bears from mediocrity. A great story of a man giving back to an organization that helped make him a success in the NFL. Subplots like that are what fans live for.
